Scoring struggles have been just one of the inconsistencies that have plagued the Flyers for much of the season, especially of late. Goals were at a premium again on Thursday and again, it was the Flyers having trouble finding the back of the net.
Two late goals in the second appeared to sink the Flyers with 20 minutes of hockey still left to play. A goal in the final seconds for the Flyers seemed to be the spark that could change momentum.
But the Flames quickly regrouped and finished the job, defeated the Flyers, 4-1, on Thursday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.
The two teams played to a scoreless first period, managing several chances. The Flames led in shots through 20 minutes, 9-6.
It appeared the second period would play out in a similar way, with neither team finding a way to score through the first 15 minutes of the period.
Finally, at 16:15, Dennis Wideman completed a rush for Calgary off a Luke Schenn turnover by beating Steve Mason through the five-hole to give the Flames the lead.
Just 1:42 later, the Flames added a second goal as T.J. Brodie threw a long shot on net and it beat Mason. Mason was pulled for Ray Emery as the Flyers looked to quickly regroup.
The Flyers did manage to get on the board as the final seconds ticked away in the second. Jake Voracek completed a great shift by feeding Claude Giroux, who finished into an open net to cut the lead to one with 8.8 seconds to play in the period.
Despite the late goal, the Flyers could not shift the momentum. An early power play in the third for the Flames led to another goal as Johnny Gaudreau put a pass into the slot and Sean Monahan fired a one-timer past Emery to regain the two-goal lead.
Another power play chance helped the Flames pad the lead, as Gaudreau scored on a 5-on-3 to extend the Flames lead to three.
The third was filled with Flyers penalties as frustration boiled over.
Gaudreau finished with three points – one goal and two assists. The Flyers fell on the road for the eighth straight game, and the 20th time this season.
Mason made 14 saves before being pulled for Emery. Emery made eight saves on 10 shots.
The Flyers return to action on Saturday night when they face the Edmonton Oilers to close out a four-game road trip. The opening face-off is set for 10 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
